The first antenna I bought for POTA cost me $75 and worked fine. The second antenna I built in my garage for about $18 in parts and worked better. I'm not saying that to sound clever — it's just how it went, and it's a pretty common story. The end-fed half-wave antenna is one of the most forgiving, portable, and genuinely effective antennas you can put up in a park. And if you build your own, you'll know exactly what's in it, which pays off every time something needs troubleshooting.

You've had your license for a few months. Maybe you've done some repeater work, chatted on a local net, maybe made a couple HF contacts from your living room. And then somebody mentions Parks on the Air and suddenly you're down a rabbit hole at midnight reading activation reports and thinking — okay, I need to do this. The problem is nobody hands you a checklist that says exactly what to bring and exactly what to do. So let me be that person. Here's the honest, no-fluff starter kit for your very first POTA activation.

Hey there, fellow radio enthusiasts! If you're a fan of Parks on the Air (POTA), you know the thrill of activating beautiful outdoor locations and making radio contacts amidst nature's splendor. Whether you're a seasoned POTA activator or considering your first activation, here are the top 5 tips to help you make the most of your park activations and ensure a successful and enjoyable experience.

We all have had a moment where we are asked - What are you doing? When were activating a park. So here are 3 things you never say to a park

Our NH POTA Meetup was a great success! We activated Bear Brook State Park and battled the weather, a wedding and poor band conditions.

Ever venture out during a contest weekend to activate a Park? We’ll I made that mistake and wanted to share with you some of my life lessons to help make you a better activator

Ever wanted to show off your POTA stats on QRZ? Well, now you can!

Building a No-Go kit… ditch the “ultimate” go box and build for flexibility and longevity.